Effectiveness of darbepoetin alfa in multiple myeloma patients receiving chemotherapy including novel agents

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of darbepoetin alfa (DA) on hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the need for transfusions in multiple myeloma (MM) patients receiving chemotherapy with novel agents. Methods Of 251 patients with MM who received DA therapy for at least 4 weeks, 142 who did not receive RBC transfusion during 4 weeks after DA initiation and started DA therapy at baseline Hb < 10.0 g/dL were analyzed. Results After 4 weeks of DA therapy, 80 (60.6%) of 132 patients with evaluable data had Hb that increased ≥ 1.0 g/dL from baseline, while 50 (37.9%) had Hb that increased ≥ 2.0 g/dL from baseline. Pretreatment Hb level did not correlate with the proportion of patients with increased Hb. The median duration of DA therapy was 9.0 weeks. At the end of DA therapy, of 135 patients with evaluable data, 86 (60.6%) had Hb that increased ≥ 1.0 g/dL from baseline, while 67 (47.2%) had Hb that increased ≥ 2.0 g/dL from baseline. Stage III disease according to the International Staging System and absence of myeloma bone disease at diagnosis were independent predictors of higher Hb response during early DA therapy. Conclusion We demonstrated the efficacy of DA therapy in a homogeneous group of MM patients receiving chemotherapy. DA therapy significantly increased Hb concentration, regardless of baseline Hb level.